
Eem Byung-hak and Kim Naun of Goonam performs at the SF Music Matters Asia showcase at Broadway Studios in San Francisco on March 8 (photo credit: Karen Datangel).
Many indie musicians have already gathered at the world-famous SXSW festival in Austin, Texas, but before heading to the Lone Star State, some of these artists and a few others took their show to the City by the Bay for two nights of unforgettable music mayhem. From sentimental soul and slinky blues to pulsating electronic beats and fist-pumping dance-rock, the East met the West in a duo of shows, delivering something special for every music lover.
As a special preview to the newly branded CAAMFest (Formerly the San Francisco International Asian American Film Festival), the inaugural San Francisco Music Matters Asia showcase brought together some of the hottest musical acts from Korea, China, and Taiwan at Broadway Studios on March 7 and 8. This Bay Area stop served as an extension of Music Matters, Asia’s yearly premier music event in Singapore. Partnered with local music promoters from the bands’ countries (DFSB Collective of Korea, Maybe Mars of China, and The Wall of Taiwan), SF Music Matters Asia was not only a rare opportunity for fans to see so many critically-acclaimed Asian artists together, but opened doors for these artists to share their music with a wider international audience.

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About:
As a special preview for CAAMFest (formerly the San Francisco International Asian-American Film Festival), Asia’s premier music industry event, Music Matters, has teamed up with an alliance of Asia’s leading indie music promoters (China : Maybe Mars / Korea : DFSB Kollective / Taiwan : The Wall) and Singapore’s Viki.com to proudly present the launch of San Francisco Music Matters Asia (March 7th-8th, 2013).
A brand new extension of the highly successful Music Matters Live festival in Singapore (http://AllThatMatters.Asia/LIVE), the two-day San Francisco showcase will spotlight Asia’s top indie music artists. According to Music Matters Founder and CEO Jasper Donat, “Asia is smoking hot for talent at the moment and we’re delighted to have some biggest and best live bands from the region sharing the same stage for the first time ever in America.”
Tthe inaugural showcase headliners include the following critically acclaimed, SXSW music acts from China, Korea, and Taiwan:
CHINA
Carsick Cars (2009 China MIDI Awards : Album of the Year – Nominee)
The Gar (2012 China MIDI Awards : Song of the Year – Winner)
White+ (2012 China Douban Awards: Electronic Music Album of the Year – Winner)
KOREA
3rd Line Butterfly (2013 Korean Music Awards : Musician of the Year – Nominee)
Galaxy Express (2011 Korean Music Awards : Musician of the Year – Winner)
Goonam (2012 Korean Music Awards : Modern Rock Album of the Year – Nominee)
Lowdown 30 (2013 Korean Music Awards : Album of the Year – Nominee)
No Brain (2007 Korean Music Awards : Band of the Year)
TAIWAN
The Chairman (2011 Taiwan Golden Melody Awards : Band of the Year – Nominee)